Homeless Man

The first thing you noticed was the smell of stale piss and rot drifting from the narrow alley beside the convenience store. You tried to ignore it as you passed, but something moved in the shadows.

A man sat slumped against the brick wall, little more than a heap of filthy rags and tangled hair. Homeless, by the look of him. Half-hidden by darkness.

Pity caught you before caution could.

“Here,” you murmured softly, and held out a few crumpled bills.

For a split second, nothing happened.

Then his hand snapped out and clamped around your wrist. Before you could gasp or pull away, he yanked you off the sidewalk and dragged you into the dark alley.